MINISTERIAL LABOR by James White

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, June 10, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 24

MINISTERIAL LABOR.

By James White

Under this caption the Signs of the Times for June 3, 1880, says:—

“We much regret that our efforts to procure ministerial help so as to have tent meetings in Oakland and San Francisco have thus far proved unsuccessful. Although, as was stated in the REVIEW, Elder Haskell, the president of the California Conference, cleared the way, those to whom special invitations were given have made no response to the call.”

The facts in the case are briefly these: Elders Farnsworth and Corliss were called to California by the Conference Committee, and their names appeared in that official call in the Signs. Why Elder Farnsworth did not go, the president of the Iowa Conference may explain. Elder Corliss hesitated to go until the member of the General Conference on the ground should call him officially, as he had been severely punished for going to Virginia without the consent of the General Conference committee. California was the field of his choice, and a letter from either of those on the ground from Michigan, would have brought him. And had Elder Haskell invited Elders St. John and Fero to that field by letter, they would probably have gone. By telling but part of the story, the Signs may give a wrong impression.

Because we refused to take the responsibility in the case which others should have taken, we are falsely charged with holding ministers from the Pacific coast. Let them testify in this matter. But we yield the point, and recommend that as Elders Corliss and Decker cannot endure the climate of Colorado, that they go to Oakland without delay. J. W.